Double dead man guts

ABSTRACT

In a guts game variation, one or more players play against one another and a sole participant must beat two “dead man” hands to win. For example, each player bets the ante and is dealt a hand of two cards. Each player is then given the option to participate in the hand or withdraw. All participating hands are revealed by turning the cards face-up. The player with the highest hand collects the pot, and all other participating players must put into the pot an amount equal to the value of winner&#39;s pot. When only one participant has elected to remain in the hand, the participant must beat both “dead man” hands in order to win the pot. The game ends when a sole participant beats both “dead man” hands, whereupon the cards are reshuffled and re-dealt to commence a new round of play.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to card games and, inparticular, to card games for use in casinos and cardrooms. Theinvention relates to games that use standard rules of “guts” poker andpreferably a standard deck of playing cards. More specifically, themethod of the present invention is an enhancement to a game of gutspoker by requiring a sole participant to beat two “dead man” hands towin the pot.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to gaming and to card games. Inparticular, the present invention pertains to a method of playing a newtype of “guts” card game especially adapted for casino and card roomgaming.

A wide variety of wagering games presently exist for casino and cardroomenvironments. Such games should be exciting and easy to learn so as topromote a stimulating gaming experience. Card games such as poker andblackjack have gained widespread popularity because of their establishedranking of hands and well-known rules. Furthermore, each of these gamesusually involves numerous wagering opportunities for the players, thusincreasing player participation and excitement. Lastly, the games movefairly quickly to maintain action and activity. All of these factorshave created games that are widely accepted and widely known.

Gaming establishments also require innovative and exciting games tooffer their clients. Distinctive new games are important in maintaininga casino's customer base as well as attracting new clients. Furthermore,casinos seek games that are easy to play and deal and that also maximizethe amount of play, for example by increasing the number of hands perhour. Popular casino poker games such as “Let It Ride,” “Texas Holdem,”and “Red Dog” are examples of such games that are faster than thetraditional poker room type game.

Guts is a genre of poker game that typically involves a greaterpotential for large pot sizes. Most guts games generally follow asimilar pattern: after each player is dealt a hand, players decide ifthey are “in” or “out” of the round. Those players that call “out” haveno further stakes in the hand and are out of the game for that round,while those players that called “in” continue playing. Of those playerswho called “in,” the one who has the highest hand collects the pot. Allother players who called “in” and did not beat the highest hand mustmatch the amount of money in the pot. The result is an equal or greateramount of money in the pot for the next round of play. Play continuesuntil only one player calls “in” and wins the pot. The size of the potin a guts poker game can be much higher than typical poker games. Forexample, if three people call “in,” the amount of money in the pot willdouble because one person will win the pot, while the other two mustmatch the pot. For this reason, guts games are typically more expensiveto play but are more exciting for players because of the greaterpotential for winnings.

Casinos also like guts games because of the greater potential for“rakes,” in which the house takes a small amount of each pot won as afee for providing the gaming service. Other variations of the basic gutsgame include Monte Carlo, Two And One, and Four Three.

In traditional guts poker, the player closest to the dealer normally hasan advantage because that player can see how many players have opted toparticipate in the game. If no other player is willing to participate,the last player can remain in and win the pot even with a weak hand. Inorder to eliminate this advantage, a variation of guts called the“kitty” is used.

The kitty is a blind hand dealt face down that belongs to the pot andnot revealed to the table until the hand is over. If the guts poker gameinvolves two cards being dealt to each player, then a two-card kitty isdealt as well, kept near the dealer, and only turned up at the end ofthe round. The purpose of the kitty is so that those players who go “in”must not only beat the other players who have gone “in,” but they mustalso beat the kitty's hand. The feature that this adds to the guts gameis that if the kitty has the best hand at the table, everybody who went“in” loses and matches the pot. The game ends only when one person goes“in” and also beats the kitty.

A drawback of the kitty is that the kitty comes into play every hand.This means that the cards must be reshuffled each hand. The same problemexists in each of the above listed popular guts poker games, where eachgame only deals one hand to a player and before requiring a shuffle.Players who are not “in” the round get bored waiting for the constantshuffling before they get to see a new hand. Furthermore, the length ofgames before a single player wins the pot is often too short, inparticular when fewer players are at the table. Finally, there is aconstant need for the casino to increase a game's “hands per hour” toincrease the casino rake.

As mentioned above, casinos have a need to offer new and exciting gamesto offer their players. While guts poker offers the opportunity forlarge pot sizes and exciting play, existing guts games do not offerspeed of delivery to the players. Therefore, a new, more efficient, andmore exciting method of playing guts is needed.

The game of “Double Dead Man Guts” addresses these problems byintroducing the feature of two “dead man” hands that a player must beatbefore winning the pot. If no player wins the pot, new hands are dealtwithout a reshuffle, thus increasing the speed of the game. Time issaved by not having to shuffle as frequently. The players are happierbecause they get hands to them more quickly. Finally, more hands meansmore rakes per hour for casinos and card rooms.

SUMMARY

The present specification discloses a guts game variation in which oneor more players play against one another. More generally, the disclosureis directed to a guts poker game variant in which a sole participantmust beat two “dead man” hands to win. In a preferred embodiment, eachplayer bets the ante and is dealt a hand of two cards. Each player isthen given the option of participating in the round or withdrawing. Allparticipating hands are revealed by turning the cards face-up. Theplayer with the highest hand collects the pot, and all otherparticipating players must match the pot. The result is that the pot hasgrown by the number of participants who have lost, multiplied by theamount of the winner's pot.

When only one participant has elected to remain in the round, theparticipant must beat both “dead man” hands in order to win the pot. Thegame ends when a sole participant beats both “dead man” hands. At thispoint, the cards are reshuffled and re-dealt to commence a new round ofplay.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofthe invention, is better understood when read in conjunction with theappended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, thereis shown in the drawings exemplary constructions of the invention;however, the invention is not limited to the specific methods andinstrumentalities disclosed. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a playing surface for use in playing a card game of oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating aspects of a method of a preferredembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, playersplay in a casino or a poker card room. FIG. 1 shows a playing surface ortable layout 10 on which one embodiment of the present invention isplayed. The layout 10 may be marked or placed on any suitable surfacesuch as a gaming table. For example, the layout may be in the form of alayout cloth supported on a supporting surface. The layout provides aplaying area 20 for a plurality of players, for example seven players,and a separate area 30 for a banker and/or dealer. Each playing area 20has a number of marked sections or zones. Area 40 is the “bank” area andis where players who participate in a hand will “bank” the amount of thepot in the event that they participate and lose. Area 50 is the “in”area where a player is given his cards by the dealer. The cards willremain in the area as long as the player is “in” the round. Area 60 isthe “muck” where players who opt out of a hand will discard their cards.Area 70 is located in front of the house dealer position and is wherethe two dead man hands are placed.

Each player takes a place at one of the playing areas 20. The game isplayed in a number of rounds as will be described. In each round, eachplayer has the option of participating in the round or withdrawing andwaiting for the next round. In other variations of the game, each playermay have the opportunity to make additional side bets. Alternatively,the casino or poker room may offer a number of jackpots if a playerreceives a certain hand or series of hands. The preferred embodiment ofthe present invention is played with a standard deck of 52 playingcards.

Referring now to FIG. 2, preferably at step 101, the first dealerposition is determined. The house dealer provides a deck of cards, fromwhich each player selects one card. The player selecting the high cardis designated the “dealer” and a dealer button is placed at the player'sarea 20. The dealer button moves clockwise with each subsequent dealingof cards.

At step 103, each player sitting at the table choose to ante or sit out.The ante is typically set by the house and will be the same for eachplayer. For example, at a $5.00 table each player will place an ante of$5.00 to participate in that hand. Players who do not pay the ante mustsit out the hand

At step 105, the dealer deals each player a hand of cards face down. Ina preferred embodiment, each player hand is comprised of two cards. Thehouse typically publishes a ranking of winning hands. In one embodiment,a ranking of two card hands ranked from highest to lowest is as follows:

(a) straight flush

(b) pair

(c) straight

(d) flush

(e) high card.

Other hand rankings are possible and may be used to introduce newcombinations and make the game more interesting. Furthermore, variationsin rankings within each of the above ranking categories may be provided.For example, in one embodiment an ace-deuce straight flush can be rankedhigher than a queen-king straight flush. In another embodiment, anace-deuce straight can be ranked higher than a queen-king straight. Suchvariations require revised player strategies and make the game moreentertaining to play.

In step 107 the two dead man hands are dealt face down in the dealerarea at location 70. In a preferred embodiment the dead man hands aredealt immediately after a hand is dealt to the player with the dealerbutton. Hands are then dealt to the remaining players. In step 109,beginning with the player left of the dealer and moving clockwise, eachplayer is given the option to participate in the round or to withdraw. Aplayer who decides to withdraw will throw his cards in the muck area 60.The remaining players who are participating in the hand leave theircards in the “in” area 50. Furthermore, each player who decides toparticipate must also “bank” the amount in the pot to participate. Theplayer banks the amount by placing an amount equal to the current valueof the pot in the player's bank area 40.

In step 111, if no player decides to participate in that round, the gamereturns to step 103, where each player must ante to participate and bedealt another hand. At step 105, no shuffle is required as long as thereare sufficient cards to deal one hand to each player. Otherwise, thecards are shuffled and the players are dealt new hands from the shuffleddeck.

If there is at least one player who has not thrown her cards into themuck, then the game next turns to step 113 where it is determined ifthere is more than one player who is participating in the round. Ifthere is more than one player, then the game moves to step 115 whereinall participating hands are revealed by each player turning their cardsface-up. According to the ranking of hands described above, the playerwith the highest hand among the participating hands is declared thewinner and collects the pot. The house can rake the house rake fee atthis point. In one embodiment, if the two highest hands are identical,then both players are declared the winner and split the amount of thepot.

Next, in step 117 all other participating players who did not win thepot must match, or add to the pot, the amount that was banked in step109. The result is that the pot has now grown to an amount equal to thenumber of players losing in the current round, multiplied by the amounttaken by the winner of the round. This amount now comprises the new potfor the next round of play. The game then returns to step 103.

If in step 113 only one player participates in the round, the game thenturns to step 119 where the two “dead man” hands are revealed. If theplayer's hand beats both dead man hands, then the game moves to step 123where the player is declared the winner. The player collects the amountin the pot, and the game turns to step 101. The cards are collected,shuffled, and play turns to step 103. If the player fails to beat bothdead man hands, the game moves to step 121 where the player must matchthe amount banked in step 109.

In one embodiment of the invention, if the player's hand is identical inranking to the higher of the two dead man hands, then the dead man handis declared the winner and the player must match the pot. The game thenreturns to step 103. If the player's hand is higher than either of thetwo dead man hands, then he is declared the winner and collects the potin step 123. Since there is no losing player to replenish the pot, thegame ends and the cards are shuffled in step 125. The game then turns tostep 103, and a new round of play is commenced, whereupon any player whowishes to participate can bet the ante.

In another embodiment of the invention, the house may limit the “matchthe pot” value to a predetermined amount. For example, a player whoparticipates and loses will only have to match the pot up to the limitof $25, even if the value of the pot is $50. The value of the pot cancontinue to increase beyond the “match the pot” limit. In yet anotherembodiment, if the “match the pot” amount is limited to $25, then awinning hand would only collect $25 even if the value of the pot was$50. The remaining amount of $25 would remain in the pot for the nextround.

In another embodiment of the invention, the house may offer one or morejackpots for players who are dealt a predetermined hand or a sequence ofhands. The house would publish a predetermined ranking of hands andwinning amounts for such jackpots.

EXAMPLES Example 1

From a standard 52 card deck, five player hands are dealt two cards each(face down) at a table where each of the five players have placed a$5.00 ante wager. The pot has a value of $25. The dealer deals two deadman hands of two cards each face down. The players examine theirindividual hands and make decisions on whether they want to participatein that hand (and risk having to match the $25 pot) or wait for the nexthand (and risk losing their $5.00 ante wager if a player stays in thegame and wins the pot).

Player 1 has cards of 6 of Clubs and 5 of Clubs. According to theexample ranking above, the player has the highest ranking handcomprising a straight flush, and chooses to participate in the game.Player 2 has a 9 of Hearts and King of Spades. The player only has ahigh card of a king, and will likely throw his cards in the muck.Player 3 has a 8 of Diamonds and a 8 of Spades. The player has a pairwhich is one of the higher ranking hands, and will likely remain activein the round.Player 4 has an Ace of Clubs and King of Diamonds. The player has astraight which is a moderately ranked hand. However, the player seesthat two other players have remained active, and will consider whetherthe hand is sufficiently competitive to remain active in the round.Since the value of the straight is high due to the Ace, the player willlikely remain in the round.Player 5 has an 8 of Hearts and 6 of Hearts. The player has a flushwhich is a moderately ranked hand. However, the player sees that threeother players have remained active, and will consider whether the handis sufficiently competitive to remain active in the round. Since thevalue of the flush is among the lower hands, the player will likely optout of the round.The players reveal their hands at this time. The exposed cards show thatplayer 1 has the highest hand, and player 1 will therefore collect $25(minus the house rake). Players 1, 3 and 4 must match the pot and pay$25 each into the pot. The value of the pot is now $75. Each playerantes to receive a new two card hand, and the game continues.

Example 2

In this example, there are five players as in Example 1. However, onlyplayer 1 has stayed in the game with an Ace of Clubs and King ofDiamonds. At this point, the two dead man hands are revealed. The firstdead man hand reveals an 8 of Hearts and a 2 of Clubs. The second deadman hand reveals a 7 of Diamonds and a 6 of Clubs which is ranked as astraight. However, Player 1's straight has a higher value than thestraight held by the dead man. Therefore, Player 1 collects the $25 pot(minus the house rake). The cards are collected and shuffled, and a newgame is commenced.

As noted, the above descriptions and examples are intended to beexemplary of broad and generic scopes of inventions and should not beseen as limiting the scope of the disclosure or the claims. Alternative,additional and optional variations in the play of the game may be madewithout deviating from the concepts of the present invention asdescribed and as claimed.

1. A method of playing a guts poker game wherein a sole participant mustbeat two dead man hands to win.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein saidgame is played with a dealer and at least two players.
 3. The method ofclaim 2 wherein a dealer is determined by a player holding a dealerbutton, an initial location of said dealer button being determined by aplayer selecting a high card from a plurality of cards, and said dealerbutton moving clockwise with each subsequent dealing of cards.
 4. Themethod of claim 1 wherein said game is played with at least one standarddeck of 52 playing cards.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein a player handconsists of two cards.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein a ranking ofwinning hands ranked from highest to lowest is as follows: (a) straightflush (b) pair (c) straight (d) flush (e) high card.
 7. The method ofclaim 6 wherein an ace-deuce straight flush is ranked higher than aqueen-king straight flush.
 8. The method of claim 6 wherein an ace-deucestraight is ranked higher than a queen-king straight.
 9. The method ofclaim 1 wherein a plurality of participating players bets an initialpredetermined ante, the sum of all antes being designated the pot. 10.The method of claim 1 wherein each of said participating players isdealt one hand, said two dead man hands are dealt, and beginning with aplayer left of the dealer and moving clockwise, each of saidparticipating players is given the option to participate in the round orwithdraw.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein said two dead man hands aredealt when the deal reaches the house dealer position.
 12. The method ofclaim 10 wherein said participating players must further bank an amountequivalent to the pot to participate in said round.
 13. The method ofclaim 10 wherein each of said cards belonging to each of saidparticipating players is revealed by turning the cards face-up.
 14. Themethod of claim 13 wherein a player with a highest hand among saidparticipating hands collects the pot and all other participating playersmust match an amount equal to the value of the collected pot, theresulting pot remaining for a new round of play.
 15. The method of claim14 wherein a sole participant who fails to beat both of said dead manhands must match an amount equal to the value of the pot.
 16. The methodof claim 15 wherein said amount is limited to a predetermined amount.17. The method of claim 15 wherein a hand ranked equally with said deadman hand is deemed a losing hand.
 18. The method of claim 15 wherein thegame ends when said sole participant beats both said dead man hands,further comprising shuffling the cards and commencing a new round ofplay.
 19. The method of claim 10 wherein said two dead man hands remainand each said participating player is dealt a new hand when no playerelects to participate in the round.
 20. The method of claim 19 whereinsaid participating player must ante before being dealt said new hand.21. The method of claim 16 wherein a winning hand only collects saidpredetermined amount, and any remaining amount remains in the pot for anew round.
 22. The method of claim 16 wherein a winning hand collectsthe entire pot.
 23. The method of claim 1 wherein said participant winsa predetermined amount if said participant is dealt a predetermined handor a sequence of hands.
 24. The method of claim 14 wherein two highesthands split the pot when said two highest hands are identical inranking.
 25. A method of conducting a guts poker game in a casino,comprising: providing within a casino a playing surface configured for aguts poker game involving at least one participating player and adealer; receiving an ante from each participating player to provide apot; dealing a hand to each of said participating player(s) and dealingtwo additional hands to form two dead man hands; revealing each hand foreach player staying in the game; resolving each hand of each said playerstaying in the game against a predetermined ranking of hands todetermine a highest hand; awarding the pot to the player with saidhighest hand, wherein if only one player stays in the game, said onlyone player must beat both dead man hands to receive the pot; andcollecting from each player not having the highest hand the amountawarded to said player with said highest hand and placing said collectedamount into the pot.
 26. The method of claim 25 wherein a dealerposition is marked by a player holding a dealer button, an initiallocation of said dealer button being determined by players selecting ahighest card from a plurality of cards, and said dealer button movingclockwise with each subsequent dealing of cards.
 27. The method of claim25 wherein said game is played with at least one standard deck of 52playing cards.
 28. The method of claim 25 wherein a player hand consistsof two cards.
 29. The method of claim 25 wherein a ranking of winninghands ranked from highest to lowest is as follows: (a) straight flush(b) pair (e) straight (d) flush (e) high card.
 30. The method of claim29 wherein an ace-deuce straight flush is ranked higher than aqueen-king straight flush.
 31. The method of claim 29 wherein anace-deuce straight is ranked higher than a queen-king straight.
 32. Themethod of claim 25 wherein said two dead man hands are dealt when thedeal reaches the house dealer position.
 33. The method of claim 25wherein said participating players must further bank an amountequivalent to the pot to participate in said round.
 34. The method ofclaim 25 wherein said pot awarded to the player with said highest handis limited to a predetermined amount.
 35. The method of claim 34 whereina winning hand is awarded said predetermined amount, and any remainingamount is kept in the pot for a new round.
 36. The method of claim 34wherein a winning hand is awarded the entire pot.
 37. The method ofclaim 25 wherein a hand ranked equally with said dead man hand is deemeda losing hand.
 38. The method of claim 25 wherein said participant isawarded a predetermined amount if said participant is dealt apredetermined hand or a sequence of hands.
 39. The method of claim 25wherein two highest hands split the pot when said two highest hands areidentical in ranking.